NEWS RELEASE Aug. 23, 2017 Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau CONTACTS FOR MEDIA ASSISTANCE: Francesca Donlan, Megan Contreras 239-338-3500 Island Hopper Songwriter Fest headliner climbs charts Lindsay Ell’s album, “The Project,” debuts on top LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA – Singer-songwriter Lindsay Ell brings a growing fan base and rising success to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. Ell’s album, “The Project,” recently climbed to the top of the iTunes Country albums chart and the Nielsen SoundScan Country Albums chart. Grammy-winner Kristian Bush of Sugarland – a former Island Hopper Songwriter Fest performer – produced the album. The Canadian singer-songwriter has opened for The Band Perry and Luke Bryan. She is currently on tour with Brad Paisley. Canadian Country Music Association nominated Ell for Female Artist of the Year. “You can never predict when these gifted singer-songwriters will catapult to the top of the charts,” said Tamara Pigott, executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. “Our community is extremely fortunate to have this level of talent performing in our slice of paradise.” Ell and singer-songwriter Brook Eden will perform Wednesday, Sept. 27, at Pinchers at The Marina at Edison Ford in historic downtown Fort Myers. The Island Hopper Songwriter Fest runs from Sept. 22 to Oct. 1, 2017 on Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach and historic downtown Fort Myers. There are more than 80 confirmed singer-songwriters performing more than 155 scheduled performances at tropical venues on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. Most of the events are free, with the exception of a handful of ticketed events. The schedule is located on the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest website. Click here to watch a video of the 2016 Island Hopper Songwriter Fest. For media requests, contact Megan Contreras, communications manager, at [email protected]. -30- Island Hopper is presented by Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, iHeartMedia, Cat Country 107.1 and BMI, the largest music rights organization in the U.S. For more information visit www.islandhopperfest.com. Follow the festival hashtag #islandhopper on Twitter and other social channels. .